Barrington and Bigler speak before NYS Assembly Roundtable on Gender Pay Gap

On Monday, April 27, 2015, Linda Barrington, executive director, Institute for Compensation Studies, and Esta Bigler, director of the Labor and Employment Law Program, both at Cornell University’s ILR School, spoke to a special roundtable of New York State Assemblywomen on the gender pay gap.

Barrington presented a data-intensive overview of the gender pay gap in New York State, noting that many important factors underpin the gap between women’s and men’s earnings. Bigler provided insight on important case law and regulatory actions. “Historically New York has been a leader on anti-discrimination legislation protecting women, but more needs to be done with respect to wage equity issues,” says Bigler.

Discussion at the roundtable addressed possible factors for wide-ranging pay gaps between New York State counties, barriers in bringing and prevailing in discrimination lawsuits, and innovative approaches to achieving pay equity.

The roundtable was convened by Assemblymember Michelle Titus (AD 31), Labor Committee Chair, and Assemblymember Aravella Simotas (AD 36), Task Force on Women's Issues Chair.